Changing the Music Biz

Here's What Labels and Managers Have To Say:

Kerry Fiero

*In 2009 do you plan on signing A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
More. We provide management services and more & more artists are seeking consultations rather than full time management.
*Aside from talent, what other criteria are you looking for?
Integrity. Hard workers. Positive/optimistic and not delusional.
*This year, where did you sell more music: (A) BRICK & MORTAR RETAIL; (B) DIGITAL DOWNLOADS; (C) GIGS?
Digital this year, but gigs was close.
*If you’re releasing a record in 2009 will you release it as(check all that apply): (A) CD; (B) DOWNLOAD; (C) RINGTONE; (D) OTHER, please describe:
CD and download.
*In 2009 where do you expect to sell more music: (A) BRICK & MORTAR (B) DIGITAL DOWNLOADS (C) GIGS
Gigs.
*Which digital outlets do you use?
CDBaby, iTunes.
*In 2009 will your artists be touring (A) MORE (B) LESS (C) SAME as 2008?
Hopefully more.
*Will they be touring more (A) LOCALLY-REGIONALLY (B) NATIONALLY (C) INTERNATIONALLY than in 2008?
Locally-Regionally.
*What music biz tool/innovation helps you most? Why?
LinkedIn, for connecting with other music professionals.
*Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
THRIVE. There is nothing like the experience when you go see live music. The internet cannot take the experience away. More and more acts are also needing to support themselves through their live shows.
*How should the music industry change?
Continue as a consumer driven industry.
*What will help your career most?
Growing my skills and expertise and applying it to sister industries like Marketing and Event Planning.
*What will help your artists careers most?
People coming out to live shows and paying to see acts to keep them in business.
*What is your definition of success?
Making a living with your talent.
*What is the ideal ticket price?
Depends on so many things - location, time, bill. The ideal price is the one that gets the room filled to capacity.
*The ideal song price?
99 cents.
*The ideal record price?
99 cents x # of tracks on album.
*What turns fans into paying customers?
Feeling there is a connection. Buying CDs at shows is about taking the experience home.
*Name your 5 fave records of 2008 – tell us why you love them.
Duffy - Rockferry: It is different, and fun and her voice is unique; Natasha Bedingfeld - Pocketful of Sunshine: I love her voice!; Jesse McCartney: catchy commercial music; Ne-Yo - Year of the Gentlemen: I love the Michael Jackson-esque tunes; Q-Tip - The Renaissance: I appreciate the many duets especially the one with Norah Jones; Looking forward to Beyonce - I Am.
*Where’s the best music scenes? Why?
New York - all genres, many venues. San Francisco - people love live music here and appreciate musicianship. Atlanta had a great scene for soul music Not sure where else is steadily good. Nashville,
New Orleans.....

Les Fradkin

RRO Entertainment, Parker, CO

*In 2009 do you plan on signing A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
Because I have enough to promote already. Viral marketing without big bucks takes a big chunk of time out of each work day. We have enough on our plate.
*Aside from talent, what other criteria are you looking for?
Real musicianship. Hustle and work ethic. Too much reliance on instant oatmeal from young talent. Beacause of "American Idol", they think stardom should be instant.
*This year, where did you sell more music: (A) BRICK & MORTAR RETAIL; (B) DIGITAL DOWNLOADS; (C) GIGS?
No contest. Almost all of our sales are DPD's. We have no interest in selling CD's. We are an all-download company and quite successful at that specialty.
*If you’re releasing a record in 2009 will you release it as(check all that apply): (A) CD; (B) DOWNLOAD; (C) RINGTONE; (D) OTHER, please describe:
Through Download & Ringtone.
*In 2009 where do you expect to sell more music: (A) B RICK & MORTAR (B) DIGITAL DOWNLOADS (C) GIGS
Digital Downloads.
*Which digital outlets do you use?
Apple iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, eMusic, Amazon, Verizon V-Cast, Liquid Digital Media, Pay Play.fm, Audio Lunchbox, Ruckus, etc.
*In 2009 will your artists be touring (B) LESS as 2008?
*Will they be touring more (A) LOCALLY-REGIONALLY (B) NATIONALLY (C) INTERNATIONALLY than in 2008?
No touring. Impractical and too expensive.
*What music biz tool/innovation helps you most?
Internet and now YouTube.
*Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009?
Live music will decline because of the economy.
*How should the music industry change?
1) Stop ripping off young artists and treat their stars and up and coming artists with more respect. 2) Stop trying to dictate to the public what it should hear. 3) Stop putting out crappy recordings that show very little talent but heaps of hype. There will never be another Beatles if the industry tries to control everything and let nothing breathe.
*What will help your career most?
More publicity. You can never have enough publicity. An appearance on David Letterman or Jay Leno. Since I play a futuristic instrument (The Starr Labs Ztar), I have a curiosity advantage in that respect.
*What will help your artists' careers most?
More publicity.
*What is your definition of success?
At the Indie level, $200,000 a year and doing what I want without corporate interference. I doubt I could acheive that with a major label. In fact, since I've been with major labels, I KNOW I couldn't.
*What is the ideal ticket price?
Lower than now. Tops $30.00 US.
*The ideal song price?
$0.99 (DPD Single)
*The ideal record price?
$9.99 (DPD Album)
*What turns fans into paying customers?
Interaction with fans, personal attention, treating fans with respect, not just as consumers with endless disposable income - not in this economy.
*Name your 5 fave records of 2008
Nothing from the majors – my own release, One Link Between Them, is revolutionary and, in time, will get a wide audience.
*Where’s the best music scenes?
The best music scenes start in the mind of each musician. Why? Because corporate America doesn't "live" there.

Sue Static

Static Records, Detroit, MI

*In 2009 do you plan on signing A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
The same as 2008 because that is all we can afford to work with each year.
*Aside from talent, what other criteria are you looking for?
Good self-promoters.
*This year, where did you sell more music: (A) BRICK & MORTAR RETAIL; (B) DIGITAL DOWNLOADS; (C) GIGS?
Digital downloads.
*If you’re releasing a record in 2009 will you release it as(check all that apply): (A) CD; (B) DOWNLOAD; (C) RINGTONE; (D) OTHER, please describe:
CDs and Download.
*In 2009 where do you expect to sell more music: (A) B RICK & MORTAR (B) DIGITAL DOWNLOADS (C) GIGS
Digital downloads.
*Which digital outlets do you use?
CDbaby and MySpace.
*In 2009 will your artists be touring (A) MORE (B) LESS (C) SAME as 2008?
The same.
*Will they be touring more (A) LOCALLY-REGIONALLY (B) NATIONALLY (C) INTERNATIONALLY than in 2008?
Locally-Regionally.
*What music biz tool/innovation helps you most? Why?
MySpace, because it makes it easier to connect with other bands and fans.
*Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
Live music will just survive, as people's tastes have changed and they have less money for recreation.
*How should the music industry change?
The industry should embrace any future music trends and adapt to them instead of ignoring them.
*What will help your career most?
The Internet.
*What will help your artists careers most?
The Internet.
*What is your definition of success?
Success is getting the music out there to as many people as possible.
*What is the ideal ticket price?
$10
*The ideal song price?
99 cents
*The ideal record price?
$10
*What turns fans into paying customers?
Fans react to good music at a reasonable price.
*Name your 5 fave records of 2008 – tell us why you love them.
I don't have five favorite records of the year but favorite bands I've been listening to this year are: The Great Lakes Myth Society,
The Hard Lessons, The Buck Brothers & Apartment 4.
*Where’s the best music scenes? Why?
The best scene is in Detroit, because it's my hometown and even though the live music scene is dwindling right now, we still have a lot of great bands and interesting music coming out of the city even though we are at our worst, economy-wise.

Derek Zipp

Dead Truth Recordings, Coral Springs, FL

*In 2009 do you plan on signing A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
We plan on signing more to grow the label.
*Aside from talent, what other criteria are you looking for?
We're looking for a strong work ethic & willingness to tour.
*This year, where did you sell more music: (A) BRICK & MORTAR RETAIL; (B) DIGITAL DOWNLOADS; (C) GIGS?
Brick & Mortal Retail.
*If you’re releasing a record in 2009 will you release it as(check all that apply): (A) CD; (B) DOWNLOAD; (C) RINGTONE; (D) OTHER, please describe:
Our releases are coming out in CD, Download & Vinyl.
*In 2009 where do you expect to sell more music: (A) BRICK & MORTAR (B) DIGITAL DOWNLOADS (C) GIGS
We expect to sell the most music through Brick & Mortar.
*Which digital outlets do you use?
Itunes.
*In 2009 will your artists be touring (A) MORE (B) LESS (C) SAME as 2008?
They'll be touring more.
*Will they be touring more (A) LOCALLY-REGIONALLY (B) NATIONALLY (C) INTERNATIONALLY than in 2008?
All of the above.
*How should the music industry change?
CDs need to be cheaper.
*The ideal song price?
99 cents.
*The ideal record price?
$8-10.
*What turns fans into paying customers?
Value brings in fans - more bang for their buck.
*Name your 5 fave records of 2008 – tell us why you love them.
Murs - Murs for President & Immortal Technique - The 3rd World.

Also in this issue:

Changing the Music Biz